Despite having lived in the area for over 50 years between us, Mrs Chippy and I had never been to River Hamble Country Park until we took part in a running even there earlier this month.
The run took us on a delightful route through woods and alongside the river (and up a few hills), and this was enough to whet our appetite for a return visit for some less strenuous exercise. So, this was the venue for today’s Bank Holiday walk. And the park lived up to our expectations.
We started off in the main Barnfield, near this art installation of a ship’s carcass. At least, I assume it is an art installation – if it’s a real wreck, the ship was seriously off-course.
We then wandered through the woods alongside the river, where there is a real wreck.
Despite what the buoy may say, the name of this ship was Grace Dieu not Prote Ted. Grace Dieu was a wooden warship in the time of one of the King Henrys which sadly capsized and sank – perhaps as a precursor to The Herald of Free Enterprise . Historical reports do not state whether the bow doors for the Grace Dieu had also been left open.
Continuing our exploration, we followed random paths through the woodland – what I like to call a “free jazz” kind of walk, before ending up at Manor Farm – which we didn’t enter, but will save that for another visit.
We then took a different route back to our starting point and (more importantly) The Barn café for a cup of tea and a cake. We did cross back on ourselves at one point, but no one noticed so I think I got away with it.
Definitely a lovely place to explore. Despite the busy car park, we saw very few people on our travels. We will be back.
Facts and Figures
Hamble Valley Country park is situated just off Junction 8 of the M27 and is well-signposted (though some signs may still refer to “Manor Farm Country Park”, which is basically an older name for the same place.
Opening times are from 8:30am to 8:30pm in he summer, but closes an hour or more earlier in the spring, autumn and winter. It may not be open at all in December and January
There is no entrance fee for persons; car parking is £2.50 per hour for the first two hours; £7 for four hours; and £8 all day. Although that might sound a lot for car parking, remember that this is the only fee you have to pay. If, as we did, you fill the car with four people, that works out at only £2 per person. Note that there is an separates entrance fee for Manor Farm.
For more details, see the website:
It is a lovely place, Chippy. I was last there a few years back when visiting a medieval fair they had there. That was great too. If that comes back, it is well worth going along. They tied the fair in with details about the wreck too.
I’m told it is a good place for paddle boarding as well.
A lovely descriptive story of your walk evoking fond memories of the River Hamble; thank you so much.